Toyota Highlander 2013 for Sale

Toyota Highlander 2013 for Sale: Also in its final version year before a redesign, the 2013 Toyota Highlander readies, strong, standard family transportation-- nothing to establish the heart aflame, yet eminently qualified.

Some autos, and Toyotas specifically, often get referred to by automobile fanatics as "devices." The contrast is made between a Camry as well as a refrigerator, or a Corolla and a washering, for instance. The effects (generally less than kind) is that these cars have qualities that are much less enjoyable as well as better. One wouldn't take a refrigerator to an autocross, or drag-race a washing machine from a stoplight. But also for countless people around the globe, an appliance is specifically what they desire in a vehicle-- something they don't have to think about to use, that isn't eccentric or ostentatious, that's trusted and straightforward. For those individuals, many Toyotas are absolutely perfect-- and also the 2013 Highlander is the peak of such appliancelike, comfy, practical thinking.

Toyota Highlander 2013 for Sale

This is the last year for this style of Highlander, with a brand-new 2014 model on its way that was unveiled at the 2013 New York International Vehicle Show in March. However, there's a whole lot to such as concerning the existing Highlander, which has roominess, power, comfort and utility in droves.

Absolutely Nothing Fancy, Just Basic Proficiency

The form knows by now, with rather aggressive styling that has been duplicated by several manufacturers. (The new Nissan Pathfinder, as an example, looks a lot like this Highlander in lots of ways.) It's a clean, streaming design that experiences a little bit from wheels that look a little also tiny in the base V-6 trim level I checked. If you like the method it looks, nevertheless, get one now, as the 2014 model will certainly get an instead significant designing upgrade that's not to every person's liking.

The inside is similarly pleasing. Absolutely nothing shocking, simply well laid out, exceptionally comfy and also made from high-grade products that have been screwed with each other well. Up front, the reduced, soft-touch dash and high seats setting integrate for a powerful sight over the hood, with superb presence to the sides as well as back as well. Controls on the facility control board huge and also clear, with big switches as well as chunky knobs that make running the climate-control system a wind (sorry). The evaluates are bright, clear and very easy to read at a look. There's nothing impressive concerning the forms and textures in right here, but there's absolutely nothing to anger either-- unless you're a person that needs some visual interest in your transport option, as there's none to be discovered in the endless sea of grey plastic extending from door to door. At the very least in the Highlander it's suitable plastic, unlike in some other Toyota items, like the Venza.

Seats is functional and also extremely spacious, specifically in the 2nd row, which features amazing quantities of legroom. This is a three-row SUV, including a fold-down seat for two individuals in the cargo area, available with the fold-and-tumble second-row seats. That third row is vast sufficient for full-sized adults, but legroom is seriously jeopardized. This is simply a midsized SUV, nevertheless, not a full-sizer like the Toyota Sequoia or Chevrolet Traverse. Folding up the second row for access to the 3rd is simple, with manages atop the seatbacks producing easy procedure also by youngsters. Both the second and also 3rd rows fold up level, creating an enormous freight area able to hold big, large things.

Inside electronic devices are basic and also not horribly complicated on the entry-level Highlander (the only major options my test design had were a V-6 engine and four-wheel drive). The conventional touch-screen multimedia show is large and easy to use, but a 2nd, smaller sized display over it showed limited automobile information, as well, with simply a handful of display screens to select from. You could choice up a Highlander to the hilt with points like Toyota's Entune (a cloud-based enjoyment as well as details system), a navigating system and also even more, but my tester had none of that-- just satellite radio as well as a windshield-wiper heating system, part of the $60 Winter Bundle. On the bonus side, an absence of functions implies the interior is minimalist and straightforward. It additionally means there's little to do however drive.

Roly-Poly, however Not Pokey

The good news is, driving the Highlander is just as positive as being in or considering one. In the base design, power comes from a conventional 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horse power, but my tester had the optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine, bumping horsepower as much as a much more confidence-inspiring 270 hp. In real Toyota fashion, the V-6 is the picture of level of smoothness, so much so that the only way to recognize it's running at still is to blip the pedal. Hit that same pedal while the Highlander's on duty, as well as you're compensated with strong, seamless velocity. A six-speed automatic transmission is common with the four-cylinder, yet the V-6 comes just with a five-speed automatic. A gasoline-electric crossbreed version is likewise readily available. With the exception of the crossbreed, however, the drivetrain overall is a little bit behind the moments-- most rivals are offering six-speed automatics throughout the array, plus turbocharging or a minimum of direct-injection modern technology. Fortunately, most customers will certainly not know any type of technological shortage thanks to the Highlander's buttery operation as well as effortless acceleration.

Exactly what they could see, nevertheless, is gas economic climate. Highlanders with the base four-cylinder engine as well as front-wheel drive are rated 20/25 mpg city/highway-- tolerable for a big seven-seat cruiser. Fuel economy goes down to 18/24 for the bigger V-6 engine, or even further, to 17/22 mpg, when you include four-wheel drive. My week with the Highlander returned 19 mpg in mixed driving; tolerable, however definitely not class-leading anymore. It falls well except the brand-new all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder, ranked 19/25 mpg, and the brand-new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, which can be found in at 18/24 mpg. It additionally normally matches the much bigger Chevrolet Traverse for mixed mileage score (19 mpg), as well as does 1 mpg better in the city and also 1 mpg even worse on the freeway. The Highlander schedule's gas economy champ is the crossbreed, rated 28/28 mpg, but that comes at a substantial price premium as well as with basic all-wheel drive.

The Highlander is undoubtedly tuned for convenience instead of driving enjoyable. As the suspension is soft, the body movements are tippy and also the whole vehicle rolls as well as lolls in rapid corners. You won't be doing any kind of spirited driving in this family truckster, however exactly what you get in return is superb flight high quality that's smooth also over several of one of the most badly damaged sidewalk, helped by high sidewalls on the 17-inch tires that take in bumps with little sound or interruption to your serenity. Hang an iPad on the seatback, as well as the munchkins will not be bothered by road conditions in the tiniest. Faster freeway driving is just as calm as well as hushed.

Safety

The existing Highlander has actually been crash-tested by both the National Freeway Web Traffic Safety And Security Management and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. NHTSA rated the Highlander four from 5 star in general, while IIHS gave the Highlander its leading rating of Good in all its major tests, making it Leading Safety and security Pick status.

When it comes to tools, the Highlander has all the requisite electronic safety measures, like traction control, antilock brakes as well as an electronic security system. Front, side, vehicle driver's knee as well as side drape air bags are conventional. There was no backup electronic camera on my test automobile, however it's a $699 option on base versions (standard on all other trim levels), an instead glaring omission from the equipment list for a purported family vehicle.

Highlander in the marketplace

The Highlander V6 all-wheel drive I tested had one significant quality that can not be overlooked: a somewhat reduced as-tested rate of $33,477, including an $845 destination fee. The starting cost for this base V-6 model with four-wheel drive is $32,690, meaning alternatives on my tester were couple of: just a $60 Winter Package, a $29 first-aid kit, a $49 cargo web and an instead pricey $649 three-row floor mat set. If you want to skip the V-6 and also four-wheel drive, the Highlander with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive begins at $29,865. At the various other end of the spectrum is a totally loaded Highlander Crossbreed Limited all-wheel drive, which starts at $47,215-- rather a significant array.

Midsize SUVs have actually been taking over for minivans in family-hauling tasks, as well as the variety of entrances in the field is greater than ever before. Needing seven seats does reduce the note down ever before so somewhat. The Highlander's main competitors are the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9 and Dodge Durango. If you can deal with simply 5 seats, add the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Ford Side, Toyota Venza and also Kia Sorento. That's greater than a lots other vehicles to consider, demonstrating exactly how competitive this sector really is. The closest suits are the Pathfinder, Explorer and also Santa Fe (not the Santa Fe Sport, mind you, which is a smaller sized, five-seat model). The Pathfinder includes only a V-6 as well as continuously variable automatic transmission, while the Santa Fe's seven-seat version supplies only a V-6. The Explorer supplies two V-6 engines and also an optional turbo four-cylinder, all mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All are equivalent in terms of room, cost and energy, but the Highlander's competitors generally have the advantage in gas economic situation and also on-board innovation.

The 2014 Highlander will ultimately get a six-speed transmission for its V-6 engine, which ought to enhance fuel economic situation as well as velocity. It additionally obtains seatsing for eight thanks to a bigger cargo location and also a bigger third-row seat. Engines will certainly carry over unchanged, nonetheless, meaning there will certainly still be no direct-injection or turbocharging. The exterior and interior updates look good and need to keep the Highlander competitive, which's really all Toyota needs to do to keep the Highlander's sales numbers up-- aesthetic changes that maintain it fresh in an ultra-competitive market. Toyota currently has the energy, convenience, skills and also family-friendly components down pat. Working with its visual charm as well as on-board modern technology will only strengthen the Highlander's placement.